USA beat Azerbaijan in pre-World Cup series

Tuesday night, the U.S. Men's National Team shut out Azerbaijan 2-0 at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., for a crowd of 24,688 fans in the first of a three-game Send-Off Series for FIFA World Cup Brazil. This was the USA's first-ever international match-up against Azerbaijan.

After warm-ups for Ajerbaijan, Klinsmann had pull captain Clint Dempsey out of the starting line-up because of groin soreness and transferred the captain's armband to goalkeeper Tim Howard. With the result, Howard (53-28-15) tied Kasey Keller's record of 53 career USMNT victories and posted his 35th career shutout.

Klinsmann staffed the back line of the 4-4-2 with left back DaMarcus Beasley, right back Fabian Johnson and center backs Matt Besler and Geoff Cameron. Alejandro Bedoya played left-mid, Graham Zusi on the right, Jermaine Jones was holding midfielder and Michael Bradley was positioned at the top of the diamond. Chris Wondolowski, starting for injured Dempsey, and Jozy Altidore paired up front.

The first half was a ragged scoreless affair, despite Wondolowski's brave early attempt on goal. Klinsmann made three halftime subs, bringing in center back Omar Gonzalez for Cameron and left back Timmy Chandler for Beasley and Brad Davis replaced Zusi. In the 62nd minute, forward Aron Johannsson replaced Wondolowski and DeAndre Yedlin replaced Johnson, and in the 71st minute, Mix Diskerud replaced Bedoya.

Just four minutes after entering the field, Diskerud, wearing a No. 10 jersey, put the USA up 1-0 with an unassisted strike for his third career tally. Substitute Johannsson, who made his eighth career appearance, made it 2-0 in the 81st minute, assisted by Brad Davis. It was Johannsson's second-ever international goal.

Next up

In Game 2 of the Send-Off series, the USMNT faces Turkey at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday, June 1, at Red Bull Arena in Harrison, New Jersey, before traveling to Jacksonville, Florida, to face Nigeria on June 7 at 6 p.m. ET at EverBank Field for Game 3. Both matches will be broadcast live on ESPN2, WatchESPN, UniMas and ESPN Deportes Radio.